We spent a little more time talking about various things, supply lines mostly, before throughoutly erasing the map drawn in the sand. At first we would run our supplies through the gap. Later though we would move them across the mountain pass as long as possible. Procurement along the way was to be done only as a last resort. If it became necessary my officers were instructed to provide fair compensation. I wanted to avoid agonizing the people living along the way any more than strictly necessary. It would be even better if we could befriend them.
Starting with the next morning things started to change in the camp. The most obvious change was the Company of the Cloak moving out. They did not all leave at once. No, they left in small groups, their departure staggered. Some of the groups that left early even returned back to camp in the following days to deliver their reports and restock on supplies they would drop to form small supply caches along the way before leaving again. Sure, the scouts couldn't move supplies like a proper caravan, they had to move stealthy after all, but every little bit would help.
The other companies and banners were not leaving yet, but they were getting ready as well. Especially for the Wall Breakers that meant quite a lot of work considering the addition of heavy siege engines. They managed though. They most certainly had more than enough manpower after all, with all the new recruits that kept flooding in. Gash'zur had been right in that regard. The chance alone, to study the inner workings of the dwarven city and its industrial base drew in giants and trolls in great numbers. Not all of them were young either. Quite a few were seasoned veterans or master craftsmen and women of one sort or another.
The siege company would be the center of our marching column as well, considering that they now had plenty of wagons with important cargo as well. The cavalry and infantry companies would be flanking them to provide additional security although I was quite confident that Yath'zur and his could break both massed infantry as well as a heavy cavalry charge without help from anyone else. My banner would be the vanguard while my brother's banner would be the rearguard. That was the plan at least.
While just about everyone was busy getting ready to break camp I took my time to familiarize myself with my new shield and the adjustments that had been made to my other gear. The shield was both light and incredibly sturdy, as was to be expected from something carved from a single large wyvern scale. It was a piece of art as well. The front had been carved with a decorative border and contained within in a relief of my thrusting my glaive into the giant wyvern's eye atop that hill. It was not an entirely accurate depiction but it was close enough and it certainly sent a strong message to anyone who got close enough to see it.
On the shield's back was a circle of finely carved runes, put there by my brother. The enchantment did indeed blunt any blows that hit the shield although it was a little tricky to figure out by how much. After another round of sparring matches at the sand pit I was confident that I had figured it out though. I would still do well to evade anything that came close to a troll's club or a rock launched from a giant's sling but swords, arrows or crossbow bolts of human design I could block without slowing down.
Despite that deflecting blows instead would still be preferable. At least I would not end up with arrows in my arm after at least. My scale mail had changed ever so slightly as well. The enchantment, engraved into the bronze collar on the inside, was subtle but noticeable. It didn't turn my armor into an impenetrable bulwark but it improved its durability in general. Rivets holding the scales in place wouldn't break as easily. The soft, padded leather on the inside wouldn't wear as quickly. Things like that. It fit more comfortable as well.
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The latter was a separate effect and oh, was it ever worth the additional effort! My armor had been custom tailored but I had to admit that I changed ever so slightly since I received it. It had started to pinch a little in some places. There was no more sign, not even the slightest hint, of that now. It fit perfectly again. I had no clue how exactly that worked but Tero had mentioned that the effect had its limits. If I kept growing I would need a new suit of armor eventually. The thought irked me a little as I was really fond of this one but there would be no way around it. Eventually.
And last, but not least, there was the enchantment on my glaive's shaft. The thing had been carved from one of a wyvern's wing bones and it was quite durable to begin with but now it was something else entirely. Bone in general did not always age well, especially when exposed to the elements. Wyvern bones fared a little better in that regard but the same issues were still present. The enchantments would preserve it for decades, if not generations, keeping it nice and flexible. It might even become a heirloom weapon, a thing of legend for real, like that.
In the end all these changes, small as they might individually be, meant that I had to familiarize myself with my war gear again. Just as well. At least I had a good reason to spend much of my time exercising in full kit or sparring instead of sitting around in my tent. Anyone with important news was forwarded to me anyway while everyone else was directed towards one of my officers. Damn, but it felt good working up a sweat like that.
At long last it was time to leave though. The reports of the scouts included no hints of trouble and we had guides who knew the way, including the prepared supply caches and rest stops. Thus we moved out early on the fourth day, as the sun was barely rising above the horizon. I left part of my banner behind though. To be specific, it was the mounted archers under Leumina's command.
She did not look happy as she stood next to me, the reigns of her horse in hand, as we watched the army depart. There was no big bustle. Everyone was as quiet as they could be. Of course that meant that there was still plenty of noise but it was not as much as one might expect from an army on the march. The morning mists helped conceal our departure further as well. I had no way to be sure about the presence of enemy spies, or the lack thereof, thus I decided to err on the side of safety in that regard.
I patted the human woman on the back, as Tero's banner quietly passed us. “Don't make a face like that. You get your first command instead of just riding along with me after all. Gather any stragglers that might still arrive and either add them to the banner or have them organize in a separate mercenary company. Use them as caravan guards for our supply train if you can. Then you follow us with the last caravan leaving from here. Afterwards Eld'tide will take care of the supplies from back home. Understood?”
She nodded and although she was a little mollified she still didn't look exactly happy. Finally she sighed. “I know. It still feels like you are leaving us behind. Won't we miss out on any combat experience like that?”
Well, that was one way to see it. I shook my head though. “Keep drilling your women. You will leave with the last supply caravan from this location and the risk of enemy action increases with every day and every caravan. If anything the caravan you will accompany will be the one most at risk to encounter enemy raiders or worse.”
I schooled my face into a stern expression before continuing. “Use your men and women to the best of your ability. And should the worst happen, don't hesitate to abandon the supplies to preserve the fighting strength of your banner. Supplies can be recaptured as long as you are alive to do the deed. Don't fight for fame or honor. Make sure you will be the one left alive in the end instead as those left alive will be the ones to tell the tales.” I exhaled slowly. “I'm counting on you.”
She nodded again. “I will do my best not to disappoint you, my lady.”
With those words and one last pat on the back I left, quickly breaking into a light run to move to my position at the head of the column.